What does hollowed mean?
Hollowed describes something that has been made hollow or emptied, and it also functions as the past tense and past participle of the verb “hollow.” The word is common in descriptions of carved wood, excavated objects, damaged structures, and body features such as hollowed cheeks. In “hollowed out,” it describes a solid form whose interior has been removed, while in phrases such as “a hollowed tree” it can suggest a cavity created naturally over time. The word is straightforward but evocative because it combines a physical process with the idea of emptiness, removal, and hidden interior space. It is equally common in British and American English and is useful whenever an interior has been cleared, carved, eroded, or otherwise made empty.
Made hollow, emptied, or having a cavity within it.
"The abandoned building had hollowed windows and a broken roof."
Often used attributively or in the phrase “hollowed out.”
Past tense and past participle of hollow: to make something hollow or empty its interior.
"The workers hollowed the log with specialized tools."
Frequently used with “out,” as in “hollowed out.”
From a hollow tree to a hollowed-out sculpture, this word captures the transformation of something solid into something emptied or shaped from within.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hollowed come from?
The adjective and verb derive from “hollow,” which comes from Old English “hol,” meaning hollow or empty and related to “hole.” The form “hollowed” developed through the usual English pattern of adding the suffix “-ed” to form a past tense, past participle, and adjective. “Hulk,” an Old English word for a hollowed ship or large hollow object, belongs to the same broad Germanic family of hollow-related forms.
Related word forms
How hollowed is actually used
When used as an adjective, “hollowed” commonly describes an object or surface that has been made hollow, often in the phrase “hollowed out.” As a verb form, it is used in the past tense and past participle.